For over 50 years Community Action’s Head Start Program made a tremendous impact on lives of families with young children. Today the Program works with 539 children and their families in Hays and Caldwell counties at 13 different locations. Head Start knows that children love to learn and we work hard to help them in their search for knowledge and skills. Head Start is a safe and caring place for children to learn and grow. Parents are their child’s first and best teacher and we work with them to be a good role model as your child learns and grows with us. Head Start gives families a chance to grow by providing many support services. The more time you spend working with us, the more we will be able to help you and your child to learn, grow and succeed. Many Head Start parents and families have gained skills that helped them get jobs and an education. Head Start offers tools that can help you reach your goals for yourself and your family.

Community Action will ensure that all low-income individuals have access to the education and job training necessary for transitioning into employment, career advancement, and lifelong learning. Community Action, Inc.’s Adult Education Program provides services in rural counties surrounding Travis County. Its core services include High School Equivalency (HSE) preparation and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. It provides services to adults with limited mastery of basic educational skills; adults who do not have a secondary school diploma; or who are unable to speak, read or write the English language. Day and evening classes are available in many communities. Computer literacy classes are offered intermittently at designated sites. Also, Cell-Ed — a completely free program — makes learning easier than ever, as it allows learners to access adult education with what’s already in their pockets: a basic cell phone.

Community Services includes Utility Assistance , Case Management for people who are working to become self-sufficient, and Financial Management and Counseling. CEAP (Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program) •Primary program for energy assistance •Available for residents of Hays, Caldwell, and Blanco counties •Services include energy education, needs assessment, budget counseling, utility payment assistance, and crisis-related purchase of portable heating and cooling units •Priority given to low income households with high energy use, a high energy burden, or the presence of a child (age 5 or under), disabled, elderly individuals, or veterans •Completed application with documentation is required

The Senior Citizens facility in San Marcos provides senior citizens with opportunities to pursue mutual interests and participate in recreational activities that enhance quality of life, support independence and encourage continued involvement in and with the community. Services include field trips, arts and crafts activities, health screenings, a low-impact aerobic exercise program, information and referral to other social services agencies, and assistance in completing government forms and applications.

Health Services provides Reproductive Health, Primary Health Care, Breast Cancer Outreach and Case Management, and HIV/AIDS Case Management Reproductive Health Care for men and women including a wide variety of birth control methods. Services include Annual Well Woman exams, Pregnancy Testing, Testing & Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections, including HIV/AIDS, and a variety of other routine lab tests. We now offer Quick Start, a hormonal birth control method prior to getting a physical exam. Primary Health Care provides health care services for men and women whose family income is 25% to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and does not have any other type of health insurance. Services include medical visits, limited prescriptions, health screening, monitoring of blood pressure and blood sugar, health risk profile, preventive health education, and other referral services. Some kind of income is required in order to qualify for this program. Our Breast and Cervical Cancer Program includes Screening Mammograms, Diagnostic Mammograms, Cervical Cancer management and treatment for women 40 – 64 and colposcopy services for women with abnormal Pap Smears. Rural AIDS Services Program provides case management for HIV positive individuals in Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, and Williamson counties. Case Management also includes transportation to medical and dental appointments, financial assistance for housing, utilities, food, prescriptions, physician visits, and radiology services.